Earthur999

I just bought a 2014 Trek Crossrip off of craigslist. Really jumped the gun and bought it for the trek name and its geometry as opposed to its components. It came equipped with Shimano Sora. It shifts fine, but I imagine it could be smoother. Should I spend the $$ on a 105 groupset? Or ride the bike for a year, sell it, and buy one that comes with 105?

velojym

I can't speak to the more recent generations, but my wife and I have bikes with both groups (st-5500 on mine) from around the same generation.
While I do like my 105 a bit better than the Sora, I don't think I'd bother with the expense of upgrading the latter if it's currently in good shape.

Badger6

Before you upgrade from Sora, make sure that your rear hub can accommodate the extra gearing. 2014 Sora was 9-speed...by that year 105 was already 11-speed, your hub may ONLY accommodate 10-speed.

As for upgrade...105 will definitely shift better, along with offering more steps (10 or 11 speed) for the same range, but if you're going to spend the money to upgrade, go up to Ultegra. 10-speed and 11-speed is easily sourced via eBay, be patient, and understand that you may have to buy it piece by piece. It will shift much better than what you're currently shifting. I will also say this, there are plenty of opinions about what one should spend money on when doing upgrades...the only opinion that matters in the end is yours, just ensure you're fully informed so you don't end up with regrets.

MyTi

tiara, 105, ultegra, dura ace, all the same to me as far as shift quality. I haven't tried sora but I bet it's the same. It's really more about weight savings, and possibly ergonomics than it is about actual shifting differences. My 2005 ultegra shifters shifted just as good as a 2018 model I recently test rode with r8000 shifters. It's why I haven't bothered to upgrade. Why upgrade for no reason is my thing. The cranks that came on my bike are still good, why replace it?

Racing Dan

Id leave it alone, unless it worn. Usually if there is any notable issues, its from worn parts or too much friction in the cables. Also ppl like to complain about too big gear jumps with 9 or 10 speed and that is true to the extent you compare the same overall gear range to 11 speed, but often you can dispense with the top and possibly bottom gear and have a perfectly fine middle range in 9 speed. For instance in 9 speed there is 12-25 and 12-27 shimano cassettes that has pretty much the same gear jumps as an standard 11-28, bar the 11 and 28t.

Phil_gretz

I'm in the "don't 'upgrade'" camp as well. I'll bet that the shifting is fine.

Also, welcome to Earth.

Earthur999

Thanks everyone for the replies. I believe with a good cleaning and some adjustments that it will be perfectly adequate for what I need. I am hoping to get some help from a friend that will help me properly adjust the derailleur, it has a tendency to jump around in some of the gears. And the front derailleur needs to be “trimmed” in some gear combinations, I assume this is normal? Please correct me if I’m wrong.

noodle soup

trimming the front derailleur is normal.

Check the rear derailleur hanger alignment before trying to adjust anything. If the hanger is bent, it's almost impossible to get the derailleur to shift properly.

GrainBrain

This right here for gearing. Unless you feel like you need a greater range there's no good reason to upgrade. FWIW my 8 speed has a 13-23 cassette, good enough for my area.